What can cause tonsillitis | what answered

What can cause tonsillitis

What can cause tonsillitis, Tonsillitis is a condition that affects the tonsils. The tonsils become infected and inflamed mostly due to a virus and in some cases, due to bacteria. Tonsillitis is more common in children than adults. It is most often characterized by swelling in the throat accompanying by coughing and headaches. The symptoms are evident for two to four days before they subside. The infection doesn’t last long after that either. Only if the tonsillitis is still there after four days is it a cause for concern.

Here are some of the major risk factors that can cause tonsillitis.

Viruses

Viruses are the leading causes of tonsillitis, accounting for nearly all cases of the infection. According to the numbers available, 80% of all tonsillitis cases are caused solely by a virus. There are a number of viruses that can affect your tonsils and cause them to become inflamed and infected. Among the leading viruses that can increase the risk for developing tonsillitis are flu, measles, enteroviruses and the Epstein - Barr virus. Viruses can be called the root cause of tonsillitis. All others are merely risk factors.

Bacteria

In the rare case that tonsillitis is not caused by a virus, the probability is that bacteria are at play. Bacterial tonsillitis is rare but the second most frequent type of tonsillitis. There are a number of bacteria that can cause tonsillitis but the group of bacteria linked most commonly to the condition is the group A streptococcus. Improvement in the quality of vaccination and medication over the years has ensured that bacteria are no longer a prevalent cause of tonsillitis.

Contagion

Tonsillitis, like most throat infections, is highly contagious. Simply being in the same room as a person suffering from tonsillitis increases the risk of you developing it as well. The infection is transmitted through the droplets of liquid that are emitted when you sneeze or cough. The germs enter the environment and put every person in your vicinity at risk. When you breathe in the air surrounding a tonsillitis patient, you are exposed to the virus or bacteria that caused it.

Touching

Touching or coming into direct physical contact in any other way with a person suffering from tonsillitis increases the risk for you develop the condition as well. As mentioned above, tonsillitis is highly contagious and spreads easily. It is possible that every member of the household suffers from it before it leaves the home. Touching the person directly or any object on which the droplets from his/her sneezing has fallen exposes you to the virus or bacteria.

Age

In the beginning, it was mentioned that children are more likely to suffer from tonsillitis than adults. This is because young children are exposed to germs as they spend a lot of time playing outside. Plus, they aren’t as careful about their hygiene as grown ups. It is up to the parents to keep the children safe from developing tonsillitis.

These are some of the most common risk factors that can cause tonsillitis.